Sunday, January 29, 2012

With Authority

 Visitors:  Welcome to our church.  Please sign our guest book!  If you do not have a church home, we pray that you will find one with us.  We have large-print bulletins available, as well as hearing assistance devices.  Please ask an usher if you require either of these.  Restrooms are located in the church school building.  Go through the door next to the choir loft, and straight ahead.  We also have restrooms downstairs in Fellowship Hall.  Again, exit through the door next to the choir loft, turn left down the hall, and go down the steps. 

 We Gather To Worship

Prelude

 Announcements

Chime Interlude

 *Call To Worship

One:        Jesus calls us.

All:         We recognize the voice of our teacher.

One:        Jesus calls with a renewed message.

All:         We are straining our ears for this good news.

One:        Jesus calls a new realm into being.

All:         We hear the call with hope and anticipation.

One:        Jesus calls to a new way of life.

All:         We will answer the call, we will follow.     

 *Hymn:  “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”….. ………………#576

*Invocation (We light the Christ Candle.)

Leader:    Praise God.  We thank you, God, with all our heart.  You have created an amazing world for us to live in and we are thankful.  Your love is steadfast and true.  Your intent is for all to be happy and whole.  We witness your way of love in all creation, and are pleased to be invited to be part of it.  We praise your holy name, as we seek to live out Wisdom’s teaching, in harmony with creation and breathing the breath of life.

 *Response:  “O Gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ”……………….#359, V 1

 Prayer Of Confession

Leader:    God, sometimes we live with troubled spirits.  We are disturbed by grief or guilt, shame or restlessness.  Sometimes we live with hurt spirits, in pain from physical or mental illness, relationship heartaches, betrayal, disappointment.  Sometimes we live with faltering spirits, overcome with worry, fear, doubt, uncertainty.  Sometimes we live with spirits that keep us isolated because we are misunderstood, or unable to communicate or interact.  We bring our spirits to you, whatever they are like today, because you ask us to.  Amen.   (A time for silent prayers of confession; Music:  “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.”)

 Assurance Of God’s Forgiveness

Leader:   When our spirits are troubled, God brings us peace.  When our spirits are hurting, God is our source of healing.  When our spirits falter, God gives us strength to carry on.  When our spirits alienate us from others, God reconciles us to community.  In God who is peace and healing, strength and reconciling love, we trust.  Amen.

Affirmation:    “O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright”. . . …..…..#27, V 1 & 3

 We Hear The Word

 ReadingOf The Scripture:    I Corinthians 8: 1-13

A Time For Children

Anthem:       “Great Are the Works of the Lord”           ………Williams/Martin

 Reading Of The Gospel:    Mark 1: 21-28

Message For This Day                                        

 We Respond To God

 *Hymn:  “O Jesus, I Have Promised”……………………………………..#648

Pastoral Prayers And The Lord’s Prayer

   (Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.)

 Our Offering

Offertory

 *Doxology:  “Praise God from Whom All Blessings” ………………..….#809

*Prayer Of Dedication

Leader:    Christ’s body we are.  Christ’s body we seek to be—Christ’s body, Christ’s healing, Christ’s message of love to the world.  We dedicate the money we have offered, and the offerings of ourselves, in service of Christ’s body, Christ’s healing, and Christ’s message of love to the world.  Amen.

 *Closing Hymn:  “We Are God’s People” ……………………………………….#700

*Blessing

Leader:    May God, who is love, hold you.  May God, who is liberation, free you.  May God, who is healing, restore you to wholeness.  May we who have celebrated the gift of Christ’s teaching and healing today, go from this place to be a people that lives and teaches God’s reconciling love in the world.  Amen.

*Choral Benediction:  “Lord, Now Let Your Servant”…………#343, V 1 & 3

*Chime Meditation

Postlude

*Where noted, please stand if able.                                          

January’s Proverb:  

The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord, searching every inmost part.       Proverbs  20: 27

 A Christian Ed Steering Team Meeting will be held tomorrow, January 30, at 7:00 p.m. in the main Sunday School room.

The Worship/Music Committee will meet Thursday, February 2, at 7:30 p.m. at Zion House.

The Membership Committee will meet on Sunday, February 5, following church.

Thank You To The Members And Friends Of Zion Who Made Scarves for the Special Olympic Athletes.  Thirty-five handmade scarves were sent for the Pennsylvania athletes to wear in this year’s winter games.  It was great fun to see all of the different patterns used.  Each scarf is truly unique.  Thanks again for your support of this project.      –Valerie

 The Food Pantry Item for January is laundry detergent.

 Thank You To Everyone Who Participated In Trivia Nite last Sunday.  Rather Be Bowling’s vast knowledge garnered $330 for the SPCA.  Our next Trivia Nite will be Sunday, March 11, starting at 6:00 p.m.  Why not get a team together and join us?

 The 2012 Flower Calendar is posted in the vestibule.  Please consider sponsoring the flowers that beautify our sanctuary.   Available dates:   Mar. 4, 25; Apr. 1, 22, 29; and June 10, 17.

 2012 Greeters Needed for Feb. 12, 19, 22; Mar. 4, 11, 25; Apr. 1, 6, 8, 15, 22, 29.

 2012 Bulletin  Sponsors Needed for Jan. 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar. 4, 18, 25.  (Bulletin Sponsorship is $15 per Sunday.  Please place your remittance designated for Bulletin Sponsorship in the offering plate.)

 Coming Up Next Week:

Jan. 30, CEST Mtg, Main SS Rm, 7:00 pm                 

Jan. 31, Soup Kitchen, Peace House, 10:45 – 1 pm

Feb. 1, Bible Discovery, Fellowship Hall, 6:30 pm

Feb. 1, Choir Practice, Sanctuary, 7:30 pm

Feb. 2, Worship and Music Cmte,ZionHse,    7:30 pm

 Looking Forward:

Feb. 5, Membership Cmte, 10:15 am

Feb. 6, Something More, Oakside Park, 12 noon

Feb. 22, Ash Wednesday Serv, 7:30 pm

Feb. 23, Book Club, Mustard Seed Rm, 7:00 pm

Feb. 27, Consistory Mtg, Zion Hse, 7:00 pm   

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZionUnitedChurchofChrist

3 Gettysburg Street

P.O. Box538

Arendtsville,PA17303